Sergey Karasev might be 19 years old, but he’s not in awe of his surroundings.
The Cavaliers shooting guard made his first NBA start on Thursday in the Cavaliers’ 96-84 preseason victory over the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena.
“I have to show coach that he can trust me,” he said.
Brown said sometimes he forgets Karasev is a teenager. Then it becomes painfully clear when he fouled Pistons center Andre Drummond while he was attempting a 3-pointer.
“He’s got a confidence to him that most guys his age don’t have,” Brown said. “Like an older veteran’s confidence. It makes you open your eyes. You have to respect it.”
The fact that the 6-foot-11 Drummond missed all three shots didn’t detract from how bad the foul was. The 6-foot-7, 196-pound Karasev said he was just trying to be aggressive.
Brown said he can live with players making aggressive fouls.
Karasev fouled out with 1 minute, 9 seconds left in the game. He finished with 10 points and three rebounds. He was 4 of 7 from the field and 2 of 4 from behind the arc.
“He’s not afraid,” Brown said. “He sticks his nose in there.”
Starting shooting guard Dion Waiters was sidelined with a right hip contusion. Brown had other alternatives. But he wanted to get a good look at Karasev, the 19th pick in the 2013 draft.
“He’s either not in awe or he’s faking it pretty well,” Brown said. “I like his demeanor.”
Training camp invitee Jermaine Taylor — a longshot to make the final roster — gave Brown strong minutes at shooting guard. He really competes while he’s on the floor.
Taylor, who ended with 15 points, said he’s trying not to focus on whether he’ll make the team.
“I have no idea,” he said. “I’m going to leave it up to God. If it happens, I’ll be happy. I’ve had doors slammed in my face before.”
For the first time in the preseason, Earl Clark showed why the Cavs signed him as a free agent in the offseason. He had his best game with the Cavs with 10 points and four rebounds.
Clark entered the game shooting 23.8 percent from the field. He made 5 of 9 shots on Thursday.
“Earl did a nice job of getting out and running the floor,” Brown said. “It made the game easy for him.”
For a while, it looked like none of the candidates wanted the starting job at small forward. The 6-10, 225-pound Clark might have nudged past Alonzo Gee and C.J. Miles for the starting job.
“They are not going to be perfect,” Brown said. “Hopefully over time, you get exactly what you’re looking for from that position. If you don’t, you look someplace else for it. I’m going to let it marinate.”
Gee started at small forward, but had one point in 15 minutes. It’s the only point he’s scored in the preseason.
Miles will score, but sometimes gives up as many as he gets on the defensive end. He was sidelined on Thursday with a sore left leg.
All-Star Kyrie Irving tied Taylor with a team-high 15 points, 12 in the third quarter.
Backup center Henry Sims solidified his case for making the final roster. He had eight points and 10 rebounds.
The Cavs played without six key players, including guard Jarrett Jack (knee), guard Carrick Felix (hernia), center Andrew Bynum (knees) and center Tyler Zeller (appendectomy).Quick shots
-- Bynum played a 3-on-3 halfcourt game after practice on Wednesday and got encouraging reports. “He looks good,” Brown said. “We have to make sure we’re cautious with this thing and handling it the right way. Our performance team — their staff is as big as mine — they’ve done a great job. You’re excited with his progress.”
Brown said he thinks Bynum is close to 5-on-5 scrimmaging.
“I’m waiting for them to tell me,” he said.
Brown didn’t rule out the 7-footer playing in the preseason.
“I don’t know yet,” he said. “We’re not going to rush him.”
-- Waiters said he suffered a right hip contusion in the Charlotte game. He said it didn’t feel right and because it was a preseason game, there was no need to test it. He said he’s not sure yet about the Indiana game on Saturday.
-- Brown said every time he looks at forward Anthony Bennett in practice, Bennett is gasping for air. “It makes me tired to watch him,” Brown said. The coach said the rookie forward has asthma and sleep apnea. Brown said he also has sleep apnea, and uses a sleep machine. Bennett didn’t seem out of shape on Thursday with 12 points and four rebounds.
-- Karasev got his work visa on Tuesday. He flew to the Bahamas with a Cavs employee. “Everyone said to fly to the Bahamas and have fun there,” Karasev said. He said he had a workout while he was there. “No beach, no nothing,” Karasev said.
-- Brovada has established its regular season win totals for the 2013-14 season. It has the Cavs at 40 wins.

About the Author

Bob has covered the Cavs for The News-Herald and Morning Journal since 1995. He's a graduate of Kent State University and New Philadelphia High School. Reach the author at rfinnan@news-herald.com
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